What perennial seeds

[BringtheJury]

One of my borders is a bit empty and I'm looking at filling it out. The trouble is that the bare bits are really hard to dig a decent hole in to plant anything due to roots from a sedum and a bear's foot. If I scatter a load of seeds everywhere will they grow? What seeds would be best?

I’m very pessimistic when it comes to scattering seeds over bear ground as slugs, birds, pheasants eat them or they get smothered in weeds, bitten by frost.

my fail proof way is starting holly hocks and honesty, (although they are biannual) nasturtiums, sweet peas in pots on a window ledge, on a table outside or anywhere where they can be protected. When they look big and strong you could plant them out. (They will need potting on of course or pinching out). I’m lucky enough to have a greenhouse so I’ll start other perennials that need extra care.

Thank you for the advice on seeds. I could grow things in pots but the trouble is I can't dig a big enough hole to plant them in the border due to the roots of existing plants .

Agree you'd have better success sowing in trays or modules. Rudbeckia or wallflower (although it gets listed as a biennial it'd last a few years and is great from seed) are good. Surely you could get a small hole to plant out a module or tiny pot? If the ground really is solid with roots anything will struggle, I'd mulch with woodchip around my lovely mature sedum and acanthus and enjoy them!

The only thing I’ve had success sowing directly is nigella. It’s not a perennial but you can shake the seed pods for next year’s flowers. I agree you’ll have more luck if you sow in pots. If you want to really short cut things and don’t mind paying a bit extra you can also pick up plug plants to grow on then plant out.

Thanks all , I'm not very patient and my soil is pretty heavy so if I can't dig a hole quickly and easily (blasted arthritis) I give up. I might have to invest in one of those metal dibbers and opt for smaller size plants.

anything that self seeds madly would probably work. so things like aquelia, forget me nots, welsh poppies etc

They are annuals rather than perennials but there self seeding nature means you will probably keep getting them popping up

Calendula and cornflower are easy to germinate when scattered on soil. Both hardy and self seed. Very pretty together.

Perfect, thank you!

I'd add cerinthe to that list, it's exotic looking, easy to germinate (wait till the soil has warmed up a bit - old folklore is till you could sit on it on your bare bottom) and self seeds in my heavy clay soil in the north west...

I've had success growing echinacea pallida from seed, it doesn't bloom the first year but I now have a good few sturdy perennial plants in the border from a lockdown growathon

Honesty, comes in two colours too.

Foxgloves self seed all over my garden, I'm always pulling them out of pots.

Thank you all for the advice, I've sent off for some seeds. I've only really got into gardening since lockdown and love having a wander round in the morning to see what else is sprouting.

Calendula (will reseed forever and give a cheerful, longlasting brighness)

Matthiola Longipetala (gorgeous scent)

Matthiola incana

I would pop a few fuchsia plants and primulas too if there's space.

I'm presuming clashing colours are ok?

Ooo, and Nigella too!

I have found a long handled bulb planter with handle to release the soil is great and helps with my sore joints, use it to plant a lot of things. Might not work if the soil is very heavy though.